In the vibrant football scene of Spain, Moroccan international Yasser Zabidi has emerged as a formidable competitor, even challenging renowned players such as Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Jamal for the top scorer position in La Liga while representing Racing Santander. His remarkable journey follows a stellar year that culminated in winning the Under-20 World Cup, showcasing his immense potential on an international stage.
As Zabidi continues to make his mark in Spanish football, he remains steadfast in his ultimate dream: donning the iconic jersey of FC Barcelona. Reflecting on his aspirations, Zabidi stated, “I have been a true Barcelona supporter since childhood, and I have dreamt of playing for them since I was a young boy.” His dedication and passion resonate with those who witnessed his talent bloom in Morocco before he took the world by storm in South America, ultimately shining on European pitches.
Recently, Zabidi contributed to his team's victory against Espanyol with a stunning goal, securing a 2-1 win just minutes before the final whistle. This goal raised his tally to an impressive eight goals in the league this season, highlighting his growing prowess as a forward.
From Marrakech to Global Stardom
Born and raised in Marrakech, Zabidi's footballing journey began at the Mohammed VI Academy near the Moroccan capital, where he joined at the tender age of 12. Mahmoud Al-Sabki, one of his mentors at the academy, revealed that Zabidi's recruitment a year before the traditional age was exceptional due to his extraordinary skills. He had integrated into the academy's center in Marrakech at just seven years old before moving to its headquarters in Salé five years later.
Al-Sabki noted, “From the beginning, Zabidi showcased immense technical abilities and mobility; finishing attacks seemed instinctive to him, evident in his ability to execute acrobatic shots.” The academy's former director, Nasser Larguet, emphasized the importance of Zabidi's family environment, stating that his father was deeply committed to instilling values of respect and hard work in his son. Zabidi was always seen smiling and enthusiastic on the pitch, eager to listen to his coaches’ advice, a trait that certainly contributed to his development.
As Zabidi embarks on the next chapter of his Catalan dream, he is set to transition to the European stage via Famalicão in Portugal in the summer of 2024. In October 2025, he announced himself to the world at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile, where he scored five goals and helped lead his team to victory. In response to what he described as provocations from Argentine players in the final, Zabidi humbly said, “We outclassed them,” after the Moroccan team triumphed 2-0 over the Albiceleste with both goals credited to him, under the guidance of current Moroccan national team coach, Mohamed Wahbi.
Challenges and Triumphs in Spain
Following the euphoria of the World Cup, several European clubs sought to acquire the talented Moroccan, which led him to Rennes in February 2026. However, he struggled to shine in the French club. Larguet linked this underperformance to Zabidi's aspirations of playing for a prominent European club, such as Barcelona. He suggested that Zabidi needed to adapt his playing style and assess the competition within the team before making such a leap.
Larguet remarked, “I know Rennes well, and their coaching staff closely. They have Esteban Lobo, who was called up to the French national team by Zinedine Zidane, and his style suits Rennes more. Perhaps Zabidi began to lose patience, prompting the coach, Frank Hayes, to consider loaning him out or facilitating his transfer to another environment for continued growth.”
Zabidi's next step as a youth world champion was to join Racing Santander on loan until the end of the season, and he quickly proved his mettle by scoring eight goals in his first ten matches in La Liga. Interestingly, he managed to score against Barcelona at Camp Nou during their sixth match, despite his team suffering a heavy defeat of 2-7.
Al-Sabki, optimistic yet realistic about Zabidi's ambitions, stated, “What made the difference was his quick adaptation to La Liga, as our academy focuses on pure technical training. The leagues that suit us best are Spain and Portugal, as they lean more towards technical play and rely less on physical strength.”
Before his rise in Spain, Zabidi shared with beIN Sports that he watched Barcelona during the era of the Brazilian trio Neymar, Argentine Lionel Messi, and Uruguayan Luis Suárez, acknowledging that although his dream remained distant, he wanted to concentrate on performing well with his current team.
Throughout his formative years, Zabidi consistently expressed his dream of playing for Barcelona during individual meetings with academy coaches. Larguet believes that Zabidi can indeed fulfill this dream, provided he dedicates himself and honestly evaluates his performance against the attacking stars of the Blaugrana. Larguet plans to convey this message to Zabidi if he seeks guidance: “Equip yourself with the means to meet your ambitions. Strive for peak performance. Observe Barcelona's forwards and understand how they play, communicate with midfielders, move, reach the goal, and score.”
As reported by hespress.com.
